From Father Steven - January 26, 2025

Father Steven Clemence • January 24, 2025

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please see the information below about the Jubilee Year 2025 which officially opened on December 24, 2024, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father, who then presided over the celebration of the Night Mass of the Lord's Birth inside the Basilica. The year will end in Rome on January 6, 2026. Archbishop Richard Henning officially opened the Jubilee Year in Boston on December 29, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The year in Boston will end on December 28, 2025. Our parish has been selected as a place of Pilgrimage for this Jubilee Year! We have a lot of exciting things planned so please stay tuned.

 

God Bless,

Fr. Steven

 

What Is the Jubilee Year and How Can We Embrace Its Graces? Every so often, the Catholic Church invites us to celebrate a special period of grace and renewal called a Jubilee Year. This tradition, deeply rooted in Scripture, is a time of spiritual growth, mercy, and renewal, offering us a chance to draw closer to God and one another. But what exactly is a Jubilee Year, and how can we participate in its blessings?

 

The idea of a Jubilee comes from the Old Testament. In the Book of Leviticus (25:8-13), God instructed the Israelites to observe a Jubilee every 50 years. During this time, debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was restored to its original owners. It was a time of liberation, justice, and renewal—a way for God’s people to start fresh, trusting in His providence. The Church has adopted this concept in her own way. The first Christian Jubilee was proclaimed in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII, and since then, the Church has periodically declared Jubilee Years, sometimes every 25 years or for special occasions. The most recent Jubilee was in 2015-2016, called the Jubilee of Mercy by Pope Francis.

 

A Jubilee Year is meant to help us experience God’s boundless mercy and love. It often includes:

 

• Opportunities for reconciliation: Special emphasis is placed on the Sacrament of Confession, where we can encounter God’s forgiveness in a profound way.

• Holy Doors: During a Jubilee, certain churches (often cathedrals or basilicas) have Holy Doors that are opened for the faithful. Walking through these doors is a symbolic act of leaving sin behind and entering into a new life of grace. (This year the Pope designated Holy Doors only in Rome. However the bishops have chosen parishes and shrines to be places of pilgrimage where pilgrims can receive the same blessings/indulgences).

• Indulgences: The Church offers indulgences during a Jubilee Year, which are special graces that remove the temporal punishment due to sin. These graces can also be offered for loved ones who have passed away.

 

The Jubilee Year isn’t just a historical or theological concept—it’s a real opportunity for each of us to encounter God in a deeper way. Here are a few ways we can take advantage of the graces offered during a Jubilee Year:

 

1. Seek Reconciliation: Make time to go to Confession. This sacrament is one of the greatest gifts of the Church, allowing us to start fresh with a clean heart and renewed spirit.

2. Visit a Pilgrimage Site: If a church in our area has a designated a Pilgrimage site (like ours and others), go there on a pilgrimage. Reflect on this as an act of spiritual renewal and commitment to living in God’s grace.

3. Deepen Your Prayer Life: A Jubilee is a time to reconnect with God through prayer. Whether it’s attending daily Mass, praying the rosary, or spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, these practices help us grow in holiness.

4. Perform Works of Mercy: Use this time to care for others, especially those in need. This can include visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, or simply offering kindness to those around you.

5. Offer Indulgences for Loved Ones: Pray for the souls in purgatory and offer indulgences for them. This act of charity connects us with the communion of saints and reminds us of our shared journey to heaven.

 

A Jubilee Year is an open invitation from God to experience His mercy in a deeper way. It’s like a spiritual reset button, a chance to leave behind the burdens of sin, forgive others, and live in greater harmony with God’s will. As we embrace the Jubilee, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). May this special time be one of renewal for our parish, our families, and our own hearts. Let’s take full advantage of this holy time and draw closer to the One who loves us more than we can imagine.

 

 

From Father Steven - November 9, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • November 7, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, This week, I would like to talk about a sensitive topic: food insecurity and the stigma that comes along with it. We were raised saying that we should be self-sufficient and independent, but at times God has other plans. Most parents wish that their children may have a good education, health, and a successful life. However, how do we measure success? Is it by the size of the house, the bank account or the 401K, or other accomplishments in life? None of the above! God measures us by humility, faithfulness to the sacrament, love! God’s only desire for us is salvation of our souls, that is, our holiness. It is important to set the parameters before we continue. It is not the first time that our country faces a difficult economic situation. I still remember the crisis of 2008. So many people were unemployed. Many families were unable to pay rent or mortgage, losing their houses. Many also did not have enough money to buy food. However, this reality is not part of a crisis, this is an ongoing issue that affects many families here and around the globe. Regardless of the reason for the financial instability, the point is that we always have had families that struggle to get to the end of the month. These families are not just those from Boston, downtown Worcester, or from another unprivileged condition. At times, they are people sitting next to us at mass, the parents of our children’s friends, or even someone who works, but does not get enough to sustain their families. It does not matter the reason for their struggle, what matters is that, this gives us an opportunity to help Jesus. You may remember the passage in which Jesus says that every time we clothe the naked we clothe him, and every time we feed a hungry person, we feed him. We do not know how much longer the government shut down will continue. We know that currently it is affecting families who are enrolled in food assistance programs. However, even if this gets resolved, we know that the struggle will continue. Therefore, what can we do? I will list a few ways in which we have to support one another. St. Vincent De Paul is a group from the Parish that assists people in various needs. They have boxes located in the exits of the church. By placing money in the poor boxes, we assist them in helping those in need. Here in town, we have the food pantry that also feeds many families. Although we can donate food to them, I was told that, if we were to donate money, they will be able to get even more food. I was told that the city, through the Mayor’s office, he is also able to provide some support. Here at the Parish we also have the community fridge located on the main street side of the church. There we can donate food. I’ve seen people who have cooked a meal and put it in several containers so that it’s easier for more people to have access to it. These are just a few ways to help those in need. You also can put money in an envelope and give it to the Parish office. We in turn will see who would be in the greatest need and give it to them. Jesus in the gospel teaches that when we give, we do not blow the trumpet. Instead, when we give we do it in secret, without letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing. God, who sees what we do in secret will reward us. Furthermore, we always give without counting the cost. Hasn’t God being generous to us? Let us then imitate our heavenly father. “Love one another as I have loved you.” This weekend we would like to thank all the men and women who serve our country: those who are serving and those who have served. Please keep them and their loved ones in your prayers as we commemorate Veteran’s Day. God Bless, Fr. Steven

From Father Steven - November 2, 2025

By Father Steven Clemence • October 31, 2025
Dear Brothers & Sisters, This weekend is a special one as we honor the Communion of Saints. We ask for the intercession of the Triumphant Church in heaven and pray for the Suffering Church in purgatory, especially as we celebrate All Souls’ Day. The Second Vatican Council teaches that the Church exists in three states: the Militant (or Pilgrim) Church on earth, the Triumphant Church in heaven, and the Suffering Church in purgatory. United in the Communion of Saints, the Triumphant Church intercedes for us, while we are called to pray and offer sacrifices for the souls in purgatory, helping them complete their purification and enter into the presence of God. Catholic theology teaches that when a person dies, he or she does not become a star or an angel, nor does the soul enter heaven immediately. Each person faces a particular judgment, which determines whether the soul goes to heaven or hell. Those who have loved God and their neighbor, dying in a state of grace—that is, remaining faithful to God until the end—are saved through Christ and destined for heaven. However, some souls must first undergo a period of purification before they can behold God face to face. I often explain it this way: when children play outside, they must wash their hands before sitting at the table. Sometimes the dirt requires extra scrubbing to be completely clean. I remember as a child my mother once used a brush so strong that it almost felt like my skin was coming off—it was painful. In a similar way, the souls in purgatory are cleansed from the remaining effects/consequences of sin. Some mystics describe this purification as a fire consuming their souls. This is why it is so important that we pray for the souls in purgatory and for our loved ones who have passed away. The greatest gift we can offer them is a plenary indulgence, which may be obtained each time we visit this parish, designated as a Jubilee Church. Another powerful act is to offer a Mass for their intention. The Sacrifice of Christ made present on the altar is the most effective prayer for the departed. You may contact the parish office to schedule a Mass intention. We ask for a $15 donation, allowing us to unite our prayer with a personal sacrifice—just as St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary offered two turtle doves at the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. We can also visit cemeteries and pray for the departed. In the United States, we honor the deceased on Memorial Day, but as Catholics, we especially remember the faithful departed on All Souls’ Day. Other ways to assist them include praying the Rosary, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, and offering other devotional prayers for their intentions. We are also introducing the opportunity to honor the faithful departed (or the living) by offering liturgical memorials. Each weekend, the bread and wine, candles, and sanctuary lamp used in our liturgies may be offered for your chosen intention. A $50 donation is requested for each of these three memorials. Many parishes provide this beautiful opportunity, and we believe it will help strengthen our community’s prayer for the deceased. Additionally, we continue to keep the Book of Remembrance by St. Joseph’s Altar, where all submitted names will be remembered in prayer. However, nothing compares to the grace of offering a Mass or obtaining a plenary indulgence on their behalf. Some saints have said that when we help release a soul from purgatory, that soul will intercede for us before God for the rest of our lives. Let us, then, dear brothers and sisters, make it our mission to help as many souls as possible reach heaven. Each time we come to IC, let us take advantage of the plenary indulgence available during this Jubilee year. Remember, by going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, we may obtain one plenary indulgence per day for eight days as long as we and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father and visit the parish each day. In other words, with one confession and communion, you can receive multiple indulgences. As so many saints have interceded for us, let us now help the future saints—the souls in purgatory—on their journey to eternal joy. God Bless, Fr. Steven